Secluded on an island overlooking Brickell Bay, the 326-room Mandarin Oriental offers a private retreat for couples, business travelers, and anyone else seeking an escape from the crowd. Chic, Asian-inspired decor, a three-level spa, and modern fitness center help soothe jangled nerves, while oversized rooms with water views offer ample opportunity to decompress. Unfortunately, all is not bliss here: Occasional reports of rude, untrained staff members and spotty housekeeping have disrupted the inner peace of some guests and South Beach is a cab ride away.

Located on the topmost floors of the JW Marriott building, the 44-room Hotel Beaux Arts is even more upscale than the Marquis. Though its shared facilities with the Marquis may detract from its intimate, boutique feel, guests do have a special check-in area in the lobby, and the hotel is ultra luxe: all rooms have flat-screen TVs and iPads, the bathrooms are marble with separate bathtubs and showers, the decor is sleek (cherry wood floors, floor-to-ceiling windows, plush beds, minimalist furniture), and the views are amazing.

The stunning 312-room W South Beach -- located on the beach, on the northern outskirts of South Beach -- blends cute comforts, intricate design (that spares no expense), and flawless service. Large, modern rooms; terraces angled to overlook the ocean; elegant landscaping around the pool; a lush Bliss spa -- the W tops the Miami greats.

Paradise doesn't come cheap. Striking but sober mood-lit design; impeccable service; huge, immaculate rooms; three pools, each a different temperature; and a prime beachside location make the Setai one of the best hotels in Miami. Its restaurants are more about design than food, but several of Miami's best restaurants are just half a block away.

This 45-room hotel is located among homes of the super-rich on a lush, private island that's a 10-minute ferry ride from the Miami mainland. It doesn't have the party scene, the high-design rooms, or the gourmet restaurants of the mainland luxury hotels. But its history, charm, and beautiful golf and tennis facilities make it a great choice for couples and families looking for something special.

The 243-room St. Regis Bal Harbour is one of the most luxurious beachfront hotels in Miami. Highlights include lavish decor, spacious guestrooms with oceanfront balconies, two infinity pools, three on-site dining options, and a prime location across from Bal Harbour Shops. The hotel is an excellent choice for visitors who are indifferent to the South Beach party scene. Rooms are among Miami's priciest (for good reason); travelers looking for a cheaper alternative should try Fontainebleau Resort, 10 minutes south, which has less impressive rooms but more pools, restaurants, and nightlife. Those wanting to be closer to the action could also try the comparably luxurious W South Beach.

The 100-room Hotel Breakwater's highlight is its location -- on Ocean Drive, across the street from the most popular area of the beach (however, proximity to Ocean Drive's restaurants and bars can mean noisy nights). The hotel takes up two adjacent towers, one of which is in the former Edison Hotel building. Rooms all feature handsome, modern yet minimal decor -- crisp white bedding with avocado-green throws, sepia-toned photographs, dark patterned carpets, and streamlined furniture. The rooftop lounge (where a Calvin Klein underwear ad was shot) is a popular nighttime spot, and the pool (though small) is sleek, and has views of the ocean.

Debuting in 2009 and designed by Marcel Wanders, the off-the-beach Mondrian is as stylish as its party-centric South Beach siblings, the Delano and Shore Club, but lacks the hyped-up clubbers. Its impeccable service, kitchen-equipped rooms, and notable after-parties at the Sunset Lounge draw well-heeled singles but also families seeking more than the PG-13 kitsch of most family hotels.

The 313-room JW Marriott Marquis is reminiscent of a luxury hotel in Vegas: Everything is big, from the light fixtures to the bathrooms, and the array of amenities is so extensive guests might not have to leave the premises -- there are three restaurants, a pool, a basketball court, a virtual bowling alley, a 3D theater room, a golf school, and a huge fitness center. A good choice for business travelers, the hotel is one of the most modern hotels in Downtown Miami, and all rooms come equipped with desktop computers and giant 52-inch flat-screen TVs. For even more luxurious digs, you may consider Hotel Beaux Arts, Marriott's boutique hotel on the top floors of the building.

A beautifully designed hotel with pomp-free service at all levels -- from housekeeping to porters to private designated assistants -- The Tides brings rarely seen substance to the price tag. Though the hotel lacks direct beach access and the small pool is less than breathtaking, the huge, immaculate rooms more than compensate.